Evaluating the indicators of a heart rate variability analysis in dogs using Poincaré plots.

Heart rate variability analyses using Poincaré plots can be useful for evaluating the autonomic nervous system function. However, the interpretation of the quantitative indicators of Poincaré plots remains controversial. Thus, few studies have verified the effectiveness of the quantitative indicators in veterinary medicine. This study aimed to verify the reliability of Poincaré plot indicators using pharmacological models in dogs. Four healthy beagles were used in this study. Each dog was treated with propranolol, atropine, and propranolol-atropine to block the sympathetic, parasympathetic, and sympathetic-parasympathetic functions, respectively. The quantitative indicators of the Poincaré plots were calculated based on data from 300 electrocardiogram beats collected before and after the administration of each drug and statistically analysed. The quantitative indicators of the Poincaré plots, such as the standard deviation perpendicular to the major axis (SD1), standard deviation along the major axis (SD2), and SD1 × SD2, significantly decreased after the drug administration in both the parasympathetic and sympathetic-parasympathetic blockade models. However, no significant differences were observed in SD1/SD2 between the groups. The Poincaré plots reflected the changes in the autonomic nervous system of dogs. In dogs, SD1, SD2, and SD1 × SD2 can detect a state in which parasympathetic nerve activity is suppressed.

Photocatalyzed Hydrogen Atom Transfer Degradation of Vinyl Polymers: Cleavage of a Backbone C-C Bond Triggered by Radical Activation of a C-H Bond in a Pendant.

In this work, we achieved a triggering degradation of polymers composed of carbon-carbon (C-C) bonded backbone without relying on introduction of labile heteroatom-based bond. The crucial point for the achievement is using vinyl ether (VE) as a comonomer in radical copolymerization of (meth)acrylate for introduction of the carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds active for photocatalyzed hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) as triggers in the pendant. Interestingly, methyl methacrylate (MMA)-n-butyl vinyl ether (NBVE) copolymer underwent degradation in acetonitrile in the presence of benzophenone (Ph2 CO) under UV irradiation at 80 °C. The degradation did not take place, when any one of UV, Ph2 CO, heat, and NBVE unit was removed or HAT-active solvent such as toluene and 1,4-dioxane was used. These control experiments strongly supported the HAT-triggering degradation. Furthermore, the degradation behaviors of the copolymers with other vinyl ethers such as tert-butyl vinyl ether and methyl isopropenyl ether indicated that the C-H bond neighboring to oxygen on the pendant is mainly responsible for the trigger leading to degradation. The HAT-triggering degradation was also demonstrated even with the acrylate-based copolymer.

[A case of gastric mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm that developed five years after pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor treatment].

We present a case of 63-year-old male patient who underwent subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET) G2. He had been followed up for three years and had no signs of recurrence postoperatively. Five years after surgery, he had abdominal pain. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a gastric tumor. Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy was performed without postoperative complications. The histopathological findings of the resected specimen were consistent with mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm (MiNEN). The immunohistochemical characteristics of the gastric MiNEN lesion were different from those of the pancreatic NET lesion resected five years ago, suggesting that those lesions were heterochronous.

Post-reperfusion hydrogen gas treatment ameliorates ischemia reperfusion injury in rat livers from donors after cardiac death: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We reported previously that hydrogen gas (H2) reduced hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury (IRI) after prolonged cold storage (CS) of livers retrieved from heart-beating donors. The present study was designed to assess whether H2 reduced hepatic IRI during donation of a cardiac death (DCD) graft with subsequent CS. METHODS: Rat livers were harvested after 30-min cardiac arrest and stored for 4 h in University of Wisconsin solution. The graft was reperfused with oxygenated buffer, with or without H2 (H2 or NT groups, respectively), at 37° for 90 min on isolated perfused rat liver apparatus. RESULTS: In the NT group, liver enzyme leakage, apoptosis, necrosis, energy depletion, redox status, impaired microcirculation, and bile production were indicative of severe IRI, whereas in the H2 group these impairments were significantly suppressed. The phosphorylation of cytoplasmic MKK4 and JNK were enhanced in the NT group and suppressed in the H2 group. NFkB-p65 and c-Fos in the nucleus were unexpectedly unchanged by IRI regardless of H2 treatment, indicating the absence of inflammation in this model. CONCLUSION: H2 was observed to ameliorate IRI in the DCD liver by maintaining microcirculation, mitochondrial functions, and redox status, as well as suppressing the cytoplasmic MKK4-JNK-mediated cellular death pathway.

Interferon-inducible Mx1 protein is highly expressed in renal tissues from treatment-naïve lupus nephritis, but not in those under immunosuppressive treatment.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to clarify the consequences of Mx1, one of the IFN-inducible proteins, in the peripheral blood as well as in renal tissues in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Mx1 protein concentrations in (PBMCs) from 18 SLE patients mostly in their stable disease status, 11 IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients, 5 ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients and 16 healthy controls were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Mx1 expression in renal specimens from 18 patients with lupus nephritis (LN), 18 with IgAN and 10 with AAV were evaluated using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Mx1 protein concentrations in lysates of PBMCs were significantly higher in SLE patients compared with those in other three groups. Mx1-positive area in renal tissues was significantly dominant in both glomeruli and renal tubules of LN compared with other renal diseases. Renal Mx1 protein levels were lower in LN after immunosuppressive treatment, compared with those from immunosuppressant-naïve patients. CONCLUSION: Mx1 levels were upregulated in lupus peripheral blood even when their disease activities were stable. On the other hand, Mx1 was highly expressed in kidneys from patients with LN before treatment, which was decreased after immunosuppressive treatment. These results suggest that Mx1 is a potential marker for the diagnosis of SLE in the peripheral blood and also for the activity of lupus nephritis in the kidney.

A Synthetic Polymer Scaffold Reveals the Self-Maintenance Strategies of Rat Glioma Stem Cells by Organization of the Advantageous Niche.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to be maintained within a microenvironmental niche. Here we used polymer microarrays for the rapid and efficient identification of glioma CSC (GSC) niche mimicries and identified a urethane-based synthetic polymer, upon which two groups of niche components, namely extracellular matrices (ECMs) and iron are revealed. In cultures, side population (SP) cells, defined as GSCs in the rat C6 glioma cell line, are more efficiently sustained in the presence of their differentiated progenies expressing higher levels of ECMs and transferrin, while in xenografts, ECMs are supplied by the vascular endothelial cells (VECs), including SP cell-derived ones with distinctively greater ability to retain xenobiotics than host VECs. Iron is stored in tumor infiltrating host macrophages (Mφs), whose protumoral activity is potently enhanced by SP cell-secreted soluble factor(s). Finally, coexpression of ECM-, iron-, and Mφ-related genes is found to be predictive of glioma patients' outcome. Our polymer-based approach reveals the intrinsic capacities of GSCs, to adapt the environment to organize a self-advantageous microenvironment niche, for their maintenance and expansion, which redefines the current concept of anti-CSC niche therapy and has the potential to accelerate cancer therapy development. Stem Cells 2016;34:1151-1162.

Disseminated toxoplasmosis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation showing unusual magnetic resonance images.

We herein report a patient who had disseminated toxoplasmosis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation showing atypical clinical presentation and neuroimaging. Parkinsonism symptoms such as muscle rigidity, bradykinesia, tremor, and postural instability were initial manifestations. Magnetic resonance imaging showed diffuse symmetrical lesions of bilateral basal ganglia lacking ringed enhancement. Post-mortem analysis revealed multiple tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii in the basal ganglia, mid brain, cerebellum, and cardiac muscle.

Clinical impact of targeted amplicon sequencing for meningioma as a practical clinical-sequencing system.

Recent genetic analyses using next-generation sequencers have revealed numerous genetic alterations in various tumors including meningioma, which is the most common primary brain tumor. However, their use as routine laboratory examinations in clinical applications for tumor genotyping is not cost effective. To establish a clinical sequencing system for meningioma and investigate the clinical significance of genotype, we retrospectively performed targeted amplicon sequencing on 103 meningiomas and evaluated the association with clinicopathological features. We designed amplicon-sequencing panels targeting eight genes including NF2 (neurofibromin 2), TRAF7, KLF4, AKT1, and SMO. Libraries prepared with genomic DNA extracted from PAXgene-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of 103 meningioma specimens were sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq. NF2 loss in some cases was also confirmed by interphase-fluorescent in situ hybridization. We identified NF2 loss and/or at least one mutation in NF2, TRAF7, KLF4, AKT1, and SMO in 81 out of 103 cases (79%) by targeted amplicon sequencing. On the basis of genetic status, we categorized meningiomas into three genotype groups: NF2 type, TRAKLS type harboring mutation in TRAF7, AKT1, KLF4, and/or SMO, and 'not otherwise classified' type. Genotype significantly correlated with tumor volume, tumor location, and magnetic resonance imaging findings such as adjacent bone change and heterogeneous gadolinium enhancement, as well as histopathological subtypes. In addition, multivariate analysis revealed that genotype was independently associated with risk of recurrence. In conclusion, we established a rapid clinical sequencing system that enables final confirmation of meningioma genotype within 7 days turnaround time. Our method will bring multiple benefits to neuropathologists and neurosurgeons for accurate diagnosis and appropriate postoperative management.

Hydrogen Gas Ameliorates Hepatic Reperfusion Injury After Prolonged Cold Preservation in Isolated Perfused Rat Liver.

Hydrogen gas reduces ischemia and reperfusion injury (IRI) in the liver and other organs. However, the precise mechanism remains elusive. We investigated whether hydrogen gas ameliorated hepatic I/R injury after cold preservation. Rat liver was subjected to 48-h cold storage in University of Wisconsin solution. The graft was reperfused with oxygenated buffer with or without hydrogen at 37° for 90 min on an isolated perfusion apparatus, comprising the H2 (+) and H2 (-) groups, respectively. In the control group (CT), grafts were reperfused immediately without preservation. Graft function, injury, and circulatory status were assessed throughout the perfusion. Tissue samples at the end of perfusion were collected to determine histopathology, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. In the H2 (-) group, IRI was indicated by a higher aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) leakage, portal resistance, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine-positive cell rate, apoptotic index, and endothelial endothelin-1 expression, together with reduced bile production, oxygen consumption, and GSH/GSSG ratio (vs. CT). In the H2 (+) group, these harmful changes were significantly suppressed [vs. H2 (-)]. Hydrogen gas reduced hepatic reperfusion injury after prolonged cold preservation via the maintenance of portal flow, by protecting mitochondrial function during the early phase of reperfusion, and via the suppression of oxidative stress and inflammatory cascades thereafter.

[Pineal Parenchymal Tumor with Marked Cytologic Pleomorphism: Is there a Correlation with the Malignancy Grade?].

INTRODUCTION: In benign pineal parenchymal tumors (PPTs), namely, pineocytoma(PC)and PPT of intermediate differentiation (PPTID), cytologic pleomorphism has occasionally been found;however, it is controversial as to whether the presence of pleomorphic cells leads to upgrading of tumors. We experienced a rare case of pleomorphic PPT in an elderly woman and compared it with a retrospective series of 12 PPTs (PC:3, PPTID:6, pineoblastoma[PB]:3)to evaluate the correlation between pleomorphism and the malignancy grade. CASE AND MATERIALS: A 76-year-old woman presented with gradual cognitive deterioration and gait disturbance. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(Gd-MRI)revealed a small, enhanced tumor in the pineal gland with marked hydrocephalus. Endoscopic tumor biopsy and third ventriculostomy were performed simultaneously. The tumor was soft, pinkish, and slightly hemorrhagic. After the biopsy, the patient underwent gamma knife radiosurgery. PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: The PPT presented with areas of tumor cells forming pineocytomatous rosettes and areas of giant and multinucleated cells with hyperchromatic nuclei. Neither mitosis nor necrosis was observed. The tumor cells were positive for synaptophysin(SYN)and neurofilament(NF), but negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)and oligodendrocyte lineage transcription factor 2 (Olig2). The MIB-1 labeling index(LI)was 8.1%. There was no difference in the MIB-1 LI between pleomorphic and non-pleomorphic areas. All the 12 PPTs were immunopositive for the neuronal markers SYN and NF. The MIB-1 LI was 0% in PC, 3.5% in PPTID, and 10.5% in PB. The proliferative potential was correlated with the WHO grade. From these findings, the final diagnosis of this pleomorphic case was PPTID grade II, not PC, because the MIB-1 LI was relatively high, even though some tumor cells were forming pineocytomatous rosettes. CONCLUSION: Although cytologic pleomorphism in PPTs is generally considered not to be correlated with the malignancy grade, the final pathological diagnosis should be determined while considering the proliferative potential.

Adaptor protein CRK induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis of bladder cancer cells through HGF/c-Met feedback loop.

We have previously reported that an adaptor protein CRK, including CRK-I and CRK-II, plays essential roles in the malignant potential of various aggressive human cancers, suggesting the validity of targeting CRK in molecular targeted therapy of a wide range of cancers. Nevertheless, the role of CRK in human bladder cancer with marked invasion, characterized by distant metastasis and poor prognosis, remains obscure. In the present study, immunohistochemistry indicated a striking enhancement of CRK-I/-II, but not CRK-like, in human bladder cancer tissues compared to normal urothelium. We established CRK-knockdown bladder cancer cells using 5637 and UM-UC-3, which showed a significant decline in cell migration, invasion, and proliferation. It is noteworthy that an elimination of CRK conferred suppressed phosphorylation of c-Met and the downstream scaffold protein Gab1 in a hepatocyte growth factor-dependent and -independent manner. In epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related molecules, E-cadherin was upregulated by CRK elimination, whereas N-cadherin, vimentin, and Zeb1 were downregulated. A similar effect was observed following treatment with c-Met inhibitor SU11274. Depletion of CRK significantly decreased cell proliferation of 5637 and UM-UC-3, consistent with reduced activity of ERK. An orthotopic xenograft model with bioluminescent imaging revealed that CRK knockdown significantly attenuated not only tumor volume but also the number of circulating tumor cells, resulted in a complete abrogation of metastasis. Taken together, this evidence uncovered essential roles of CRK in invasive bladder cancer through the hepatocyte growth factor/c-Met/CRK feedback loop for epithelial-mesenchymal transition induction. Thus, CRK might be a potent molecular target in bladder cancer, particularly for preventing metastasis, leading to the resolution of clinically longstanding critical issues.

Hydrogen sulfide augments survival signals in warm ischemia and reperfusion of the mouse liver.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) ameliorates hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury (IRI), but the precise mechanism remains elusive. We investigated whether sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS), a soluble derivative of H2S, would ameliorate hepatic IRI, and if so, via what mechanism. METHODS: Mice were subjected to partial warm ischemia for 75 min followed by reperfusion. Either NaHS or saline was administered intravenously 10 min before reperfusion. The liver and serum were collected 3, 6, and 24 h after reperfusion. RESULTS: In the NaHS(-) group, severe IRI was apparent by the ALT leakage, tissue injury score, apoptosis, lipid peroxidation, and inflammation (higher plasma TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, IFN-γ, IL-23, IL-17, and CD40L), whereas IRI was significantly ameliorated in the NaHS(+) group. These effects could be explained by the augmented nuclear translocation of Nrf2, and the resulting up-regulation of HO-1 and thioredoxin-1. Phosphorylation of the PDK-1/Akt/mTOR/p70S6k axis, which is known to mediate pro-survival and anti-apoptotic signals, was significantly augmented in the NaHS(+) group, with a higher rate of PCNA-positive cells thereafter. CONCLUSION: NaHS ameliorated hepatic IRI by direct and indirect anti-oxidant activities by augmenting pro-survival, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory signals via mechanisms involving Nrf-2, and by accelerating hepatic regeneration via mechanisms involving Akt-p70S6k.

microRNA 31 functions as an endometrial cancer oncogene by suppressing Hippo tumor suppressor pathway.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate whether MIR31 is an oncogene in human endometrial cancer and identify the target molecules associated with the malignant phenotype. METHODS: We investigated the growth potentials of MIR31-overexpressing HEC-50B cells in vitro and in vivo. In order to identify the target molecule of MIR31, a luciferase reporter assay was performed, and the corresponding downstream signaling pathway was examined using immunohistochemistry of human endometrial cancer tissues. We also investigated the MIR31 expression in 34 patients according to the postoperative risk of recurrence. RESULTS: The overexpression of MIR31 significantly promoted anchorage-independent growth in vitro and significantly increased the tumor forming potential in vivo. MIR31 significantly suppressed the luciferase activity of mRNA combined with the LATS2 3'-UTR and consequently promoted the translocation of YAP1, a key molecule in the Hippo pathway, into the nucleus. Meanwhile, the nuclear localization of YAP1 increased the transcription of CCND1. Furthermore, the expression levels of MIR31 were significantly increased (10.7-fold) in the patients (n = 27) with a high risk of recurrence compared to that observed in the low-risk patients (n = 7), and this higher expression correlated with a poor survival. CONCLUSIONS: MIR31 functions as an oncogene in endometrial cancer by repressing the Hippo pathway. MIR31 is a potential new molecular marker for predicting the risk of recurrence and prognosis of endometrial cancer.

SS18-SSX-regulated miR-17 promotes tumor growth of synovial sarcoma by inhibiting p21WAF1/CIP1.

MicroRNA (miRNA) can function as tumor suppressors or oncogenes, and also as potential specific cancer biomarkers; however, there are few published studies on miRNA in synovial sarcomas, and their function remains unclear. We transfected the OncomiR miRNA Precursor Virus Library into synovial sarcoma Fuji cells followed by a colony formation assay to identify miRNAs to confer an aggressive tumorigenicity, and identified miR-17-5p from the large colonies. MiR-17 was found to be induced by a chimeric oncoprotein SS18-SSX specific for synovial sarcoma, and all examined cases of human synovial sarcoma expressed miR-17, even at high levels in several cases. Overexpression of miR-17 in synovial sarcoma cells, Fuji and HS-SYII, increased colony forming ability in addition to cell growth, but not cell motility and invasion. Tumor volume formed in mice in vivo was significantly increased by miR-17 overexpression with a marked increase of MIB-1 index. According to PicTar and Miranda algorithms, which predicted CDKN1A (p21) as a putative target of miR-17, a luciferase assay was performed and revealed that miR-17 directly targets the 3'-UTR of p21 mRNA. Indeed, p21 protein level was remarkably decreased by miR-17 overexpression in a p53-independent manner. It is noteworthy that miR-17 succeeded in suppressing doxorubicin-evoked higher expression of p21 and conferred the drug resistance. Meanwhile, introduction of anti-miR-17 in Fuji and HS-SYII cells significantly decreased cell growth, consistent with rescued expression of p21. Taken together, miR-17 promotes the tumor growth of synovial sarcomas by post-transcriptional suppression of p21, which may be amenable to innovative therapeutic targeting in synovial sarcoma.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of O6 -methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) expression in 117 cases of glioblastoma.

Temozolomide (TMZ) is an oral alkylating agent which is widely used in the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) and is composed of astrocytic and/or oligodendroglial tumors, and the evaluation of O(6) -methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) expression is important to predict the response to TMZ therapy. In this study, we conducted immunohistochemical analysis of 117 cases of Japanese GBM including 19 cases of GBM with oligodendroglioma component (GBMO), using a scoring system for quantitative evaluation of staining intensity and proportion of MGMT, and performed survival analysis of these patients. Immunohistochemically, 55 cases (47%) were positive for MGMT with various intensities and proportions (total score (TS) ≥ 2), while 62 cases (53%) were negative (TS = 0). The distribution of MGMT expression pattern was not affected by any clinicopathological parameters such as the histological subtype (GBM vs. GBMO), age and gender. The survival analysis of these patients revealed that the minimal expression of MGMT (TS ≥ 2) was a significant unfavorable prognostic factor (P < 0.001) as well as resectability (P = 0.004). Moreover, multivariate analysis showed that minimal MGMT expression in GBM was the most potent independent predictor for progression free survival (P < 0.001) and also overall patient survival (P < 0.001). This is the first report employing the scoring system for both staining intensity and proportion to evaluate immunohistochemical MGMT expression in GBM. In addition, our results emphases the clinicopathological values of the immunohistochemical approach for MGMT expression in glioma patients as a routine laboratory examination.

Interleukin-6 Immunology in Macrophage Activation Syndrome Related to Neuroimmunological Diseases.

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) involves an excessive amount of acute inflammatory responses to inflammatory cytokines, particularly interleukin-6 (IL-6). IL-6 is also strongly associated with the pathophysiology of certain neuroimmunological diseases. However, there have so far been few reports of MAS being accompanied by neuroimmunological diseases. We herein report two cases of MAS comorbid with myasthenia gravis or neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, IL-6 related neuroimmunological diseases. Standard immunosuppressive therapies could not stabilize the symptoms in our cases until antibodies against the IL-6 receptor were administered. This finding suggests that it is important to consider the underlying pathophysiology of MAS in relation to these neuroimmunological diseases when treating affected patients.

NS1-binding protein abrogates the elevation of cell viability by the influenza A virus NS1 protein in association with CRKL.

The influenza A virus non-structural protein 1 (NS1) is a multifunctional virulence factor consisting of an RNA binding domain and several Src-homology (SH) 2 and SH3 binding motifs, which promotes virus replication in the host cell and helps to evade antiviral immunity. NS1 modulates general host cell physiology in association with various cellular molecules including NS1-binding protein (NS1-BP) and signaling adapter protein CRK-like (CRKL), while the physiological role of NS1-BP during influenza A virus infection especially in association with NS1 remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the intracellular association of NS1-BP, NS1 and CRKL to elucidate the physiological roles of these molecules in the host cell. In HEK293T cells, enforced expression of NS1 of A/Beijing (H1N1) and A/Indonesia (H5N1) significantly induced excessive phosphorylation of ERK and elevated cell viability, while the over-expression of NS1-BP and the abrogation of CRKL using siRNA abolished such survival effect of NS1. The pull-down assay using GST-fusion CRKL revealed the formation of intracellular complexes of NS1-BP, NS1 and CRKL. In addition, we identified that the N-terminus SH3 domain of CRKL was essential for binding to NS1-BP using GST-fusion CRKL-truncate mutants. This is the first report to elucidate the novel function of NS1-BP collaborating with viral protein NS1 in modulation of host cell physiology. In addition, an alternative role of adaptor protein CRKL in association with NS1 and NS1-BP during influenza A virus infection is demonstrated.

Warm Ischemia Induces Spatiotemporal Changes in Lysophosphatidylinositol That Affect Post-Reperfusion Injury in Normal and Steatotic Rat Livers.

Warm ischemia-reperfusion injury is a prognostic factor for hepatectomy and liver transplantation. However, its underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. This study aimed to elucidate these mechanisms and identify the predictive markers of post-reperfusion injury. Rats with normal livers were subjected to 70% hepatic warm ischemia for 15, 30, or 90 min, while those with steatotic livers were subjected to 70% hepatic warm ischemia for only 30 min. The liver and blood were sampled at the end of ischemia and 1, 6, and 24 h after reperfusion. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, Suzuki injury scores, and lipid peroxidation (LPO) products were evaluated. The ALT activity and Suzuki scores increased with ischemic duration and peaked at 1 and 6 h after reperfusion, respectively. Steatotic livers subjected to 30 min ischemia and normal livers subjected to 90 min ischemia showed comparable injury. A similar trend was observed for LPO products. Imaging mass spectrometry of normal livers revealed an increase in lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI (18:0)) and a concomitant decrease in phosphatidylinositol (PI (18:0/20:4)) in Zone 1 (central venous region) with increasing ischemic duration; they returned to their basal values after reperfusion. Similar changes were observed in steatotic livers. Hepatic warm ischemia time-dependent acceleration of PI (18:0/20:4) to LPI (18:0) conversion occurs initially in Zone 1 and is more pronounced in fatty livers. Thus, the LPI (18:0)/PI (18:0/20:4) ratio is a potential predictor of post-reperfusion injury.

Bone marrow-derived macrophages are associated with androgen modulated prostate regeneration.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have reported that bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) can be cellular components of tissue undergoing remodeling. However, the types of BMDCs that contribute to prostate regeneration are unclear. Elucidating the association between BMDCs and prostate regeneration will help to identify the mechanism responsible for abnormal prostate tissue remodeling in conditions such as benign prostate hyperplasia, proliferative inflammatory atrophy, and prostate cancer. METHODS: We used a bone marrow transplantation (BMT) technique involving green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing bone marrow cells and a murine model of prostate regeneration induced by androgen modulation. Immunophenotypes of recruited GFP-positive cells at days 3, 14, and 28 after regeneration were analyzed in the prostate tissue of mice that had undergone BMT. RESULTS: During the regenerating process, the most abundant BMDC phenotype was the F4/80-positive macrophage followed by the CD3-positive T lymphocyte. The proportion of all nucleated cells that were F4/80-positive BMDCs was greatest at day 3 after regeneration and was lower at days 14 and 28. By contrast, the proportion of F4/80-positive/GFP-negative cells remained unchanged at days 3, 14, and 28. Macrophage-colony stimulating factor mRNA expression level was the highest in the regenerating prostate. The number of F4/80-positive BMDCs, but not CD3-positive BMDCs, correlated with the proliferative activity of epithelial cells of the regenerating prostate at day 14. CONCLUSIONS: The observation that bone marrow-derived macrophages are recruited into the prostate where they associate with prostate regeneration suggests that bone marrow-derived macrophages are involved in prostate regeneration.